Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

Amalgamated Society of General Toolmakers, Engineers and Machinists membership certificate, 1906

Springburn railway workers, in common with those in other heavy industries, belonged to trade unions. The membership card shown here was for a trade union called the Amalgamated Society of General Toolmakers, Enginneers and Machinists. In the 19th and early 20th centuries unskilled workers rarely belonged to trade unions.

Before the development of trade unions a worker could belong to a 'friendly society' which, for a regular premium, ensured care for a worker's dependants should he be killed or injured at work. They did not, however, campaign for higher wages or better working conditions.

The formation of trade unions enabled workers to increase their collective strength in bargaining with employers on matters such as wages and working conditions.

Source: Glasgow City Archives